Gemotions

The library card sat on the table, a tiny, innocuous piece of plastic that suddenly felt heavy. Ben had just returned from the library with a copy of the author's new book. Now, he didn't know what to do.

He'd loved this author, revered her. He'd always felt understood by her work. He picked up his phone and opened the article someone had sent him about the plagiarism. His mind scrambled. He felt a growing sense of discomfort, a queasiness he couldn't explain.

He put the book aside and went outside, the world was a blur, the sounds of the city muffled. He felt strangely disconnected, as though he were watching everything from behind a pane of glass. It didn't make sense.